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Feeling Overwhelmed Sailing To Tonga

We say a sad farewell to the dream that was Niue and set sail for Tonga.  It’s the last destination of the season for us and feelings of overwhelm start to settle in the closer we get.

252 nautical miles of uninterrupted sailing in the South Pacific.  It’s the perfect amount of sailing if you ask Jason and enough time for me to thoroughly dwell on all the tasks ahead.  And dwell I do…allowing my mind to roll in cadence with each eight to ten-foot swell.

Sailing into Tonga felt like floating into a mystical scene worthy of a good fantasy novel.  Perhaps written by J. R. R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis or another great author with lots of initials.

It’s yet another destination that pokes at my curiosity and tugs at my need to explore.  Tiny rock islands, layers of green hills and all surrounded by varying shades of blue.

But, we’re on limited exploration time here because we have work to do and a flight to catch.

sunset on the south pacific sea

wynns adventure cat sailing the south pacific

sailing the south pacific with stormy seas

sailing into tonga with rocks and fog

Boat Life & Overwhelm

We keep a lot of lists.  Mostly to-do lists.  There’s a list for boat repairs, for maintenance and for parts needed.

Lists are supposed to be good.  They bring order to the chaos, help us remember things and focus the mind.

But sometimes, like this time, the list makes me wish I could jump overboard, turn into a mermaid and swim far, far away from every single item listed.

Sadly, I have not grown gills and thus, shall remain a human.  Sigh.

The good news is, I am a pro procrastinator.  So, as you may have gathered from the little preview at the end of this video…I find plenty of distractions to avoid having to tackle any of those lists before absolutely necessary.

 

🙏 THANK YOU!

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🎥 CAMERA GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO  📷

HOW WE POWER OUR HOME: LITHIUM BATTERIES, SOLAR, WATER & MORE…

⛵SAILING SPECIFIC GEAR

🎶AWESOME tunes:

  • Source: http://bit.ly/artlist-gwtw
    •   Artists – Giants & Pilgrims (Intro & Last Song), Caleb Etheridge, James Forest & Stanley Gurvich.

⛵ SAILING REPORT

To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: gonewiththewynns.com/map

  • Nautical Miles Sailed: 252
  • Date: July 2019

GET YOUR SWAG ON!

gone with the wynns swag and merch

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (35)

  • mary

    I have been missing my Sunday morning video time however, in person is SOOO much better! Just now catching up to what I have been watching you both edit over the past weeks!

    It is beautiful there. I think the people you are with may be the ones I have been hearing such nice things about?? Looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventures in Tonga and catching up on the ones I have missed.

    Hugs! Mom

    reply
  • Sylmarie

    Hi Wynns I want to send coffee from my Island to Texas are you still there?

    reply
    • mary

      They are not however, I will be traveling to see them in a few weeks. You can email me and I will make sure they get the coffee when I see them. [email protected]

      reply
  • Gary M Curran

    Must have sailed to Vava’u. Must be docked at Neiafu, since that’s the only place on Vava’u I can find that has a dock and facilities.
    It’s a nice looking place, I hope you had fun while you were there, and again, when you return.

    reply
  • Ms Fine

    Farewell from the island of Tonga until next time.. ofa lahi atu and God bless you and your family 🙏💝💖

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  • Ms Fine

    Im Tongan myself and watching you falling in love with the Island, gives me the homesick moment lol . I’ve just shared your story on my fb timeline(MsFine As-Always) .
    May God bless you and your family and hope you can return back to the island again or simply stay there for good🤣🤣.. OFA ATU AND GOD BLESS 💝💋💖

    reply
  • Sisilia Ahio

    Welcome to the Kingdom and hope to meet you here in the kingdom of Tonga…

    reply
  • Frank Leonard

    I have been following your travel since your early RV days and now your sailing travels please keep the adventures coming.

    reply
  • David Livingston

    I’m sure that you are unaware of the fact that my wife and I have officially adopted you. We (in our early 70’s) have been sailing for many years. In 2010 we took off from Houston (kingwood) in our 2001 Catalina 36MK2 and sailed her to Florida. After messing around in Fla. we finally built up the nerve to cross the stream and cruise around in the Bahamas, starting with first land-fall in Bimini. Then on to the Berry Islands. We eventually returned the boat to the Fla. west coast and kept her there for a couple of years–visiting when we could. Loved the experience and would still be doing it today if we could. But old age and health issues interfered and we’re now on”The Hard”. (Nothing serious–just enough to make it impracticable) I discovered “Gone With__” about a month ago and have been addicted to your excellently composed videos on YouTube. We are truly living vicariously through you. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see your next adventures in the S. Pacific once the season improves. God bless you and keep you safe. Enjoy!!!

    reply
  • Philip R Morehouse

    As an old Navy man, I can relate to your travels having been there long ago. Your sailing adventures remind me of my sailing days on the Finger Lakes, NY.. Yes, smaller than the ocean but we also had our storms to weather. Now from my arm chair I get to travel again with you all and enjoy the scenery, as I work on yet another novel. God bless you all and safe passage. prmorehouse

    reply
  • Steve Nicholls

    I’m feeling upset. I read a comment on a previous video post that Cleo had crossed the rainbow bridge. And I haven’t seen her since. Singa, yes, Cleo no. Has she left this mortal coil? If so, will you do an obituary for us so we can grieve too? Very attached to you and your crew, me! Cats touch my heart. Please update me on Cleo.

    reply
  • Alan Solomon

    Thanks for this video. Enjoy Tonga. Looking forward to next Sundays video. Happy trails for now….

    reply
  • Jeanette Brennan

    Absolutely awesome video, as always! Just take one day at a time… So happy you made it safe and sound! Another magical place to add to your ever-growing list of magical places. Thx for taking us with you on your epic adventures! Keep ‘em coming – we’re all hooked now!! 💖⛵️🏝🌅🙏

    reply
  • Linda Jones

    Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. Just amazing! The music and videography is bonnie as well! Don’t work too hard. Whenever I had too many things on a list I also would get overwhelmed. Divide your amount of days into how many chores are on your list, and do that many each day. Limits your stress;)

    Tonga looks like your kind of place🧜‍♀️

    reply
  • James and Joann Alton

    Thanks you two for yet another very enjoyable video. Your boat worklist might seem long to you but rest assured that some of us have lists that are even longer to deal with! All the best, J&J

    reply
  • Robert Dawson

    Another great post, so looking forward to more in 2020.God bless

    reply
  • Deborah Kerr

    The moon, the sky and the sound of the ocean I love. So glad it was a safe sail over to Tonga!!

    reply
  • James

    Wonderful video Folks ! You have come so far since the RV. You should be very proud of your amazing journey thus far! BTW- your “darted eyebrows” and PERFECT makeup is very impressive! KUDOS to you. Jason your work-list looks daunting , however, your skills and endurance have improved exponentially! Congrats to both of you for a safe and Happy 2020. Truly an epic couple. Greetings from the shores of Lake Huron- Sarnia, Ontario- Canada. All the best- Jamie

    reply
  • Anita

    What an awesome video. That should win some type of Youtube travel award. How did Curiosity hold up during the New Years storm? It seemed like it was downgraded so hope everything turned out fine.

    Looking forward to seeing the beautiful islands and people of Tonga.

    reply
    • Curious Minion

      The storm stayed south of Tonga & Curiosity is fine. Yay!
      Curious Minion

      reply
  • WILLIAM DOMB

    Used our chambong for New Years.

    Best not filled with red wine…

    reply
  • Roger B

    Nikki, you play the bongos? We’re looking forward to your next Tonga Island videos.

    reply
  • Sheryl

    Looking forward to “after the list is done” videos. Your list looks like mine for my house! I love watching ur videos every Sunday the same as Michael Magill while sipping on my morning coffee. I’ll miss u bunches while we both work on our to do list & u guys will be in my heart & prayers. 🙏🏻💕❤️⛵️⚓️

    reply
  • William Mayes

    Nikki and Jason,
    We have been following you two since you left the RV and set sail. We really enjoy your videos and appreciate your insights and reviews. We just ordered the Iridium Go package from PredictWind and I dropped your names as our referral. We are on a 2007 440 Lagoon in Abu Dhabi, UAE and our trying to “refit” Lucy in order to sail her to the Med and begin some adventures. Assuming the Iran-USA conflicts don’t impede our Red Sea passage, scheduled to set sail in Jan 2021. Fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the world and giving inspiration to us that just “gotta-go” one day before we get too old.
    Kind regards,
    Billy and Mika
    SV Lucy

    reply
  • Howard Lute

    When you find yourselves in a well equipped, somewhat more modern facility…have an engineer inspect yourcarft fully…catmarans have unique problems, they need close attention to avoid difficulties. Fair winds to you and yours!
    HNLute

    reply
  • Jon & Lori MArathon Fl

    By Far YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST !! SAILING Channel On the Planet !! Want to see all the Work you guys too !!! Its not All Cookies and Cream……

    reply
  • Kelley

    It looks beautiful! Will we be seeing your adventures back in the States once Curiosity is out of the water?

    reply
    • Curious Minion

      Yep, Stateside adventures are coming up, so stay tuned!
      Curious Minion

      reply
  • Michael Magill

    My Sunday Morning was spoken for as I always had a new video from you two to open up and sometimes comment on and sometimes just to enjoy. I am sad that its been put on hold , but Geez you two need a break and the list of things to do is immense, it will get done. Please enjoy the time you are going to have with your family and friends, lord knows its well it has come at a perfect time. thank you for allowing us to sit back and enjoy each video,and allow us to be part of the journey. I wish you both a safe and happy time off which u both deserve , and can’t wait till you ae off again on a new journey!!, and we get to come along too

    reply
  • YDion

    Funny, this morning, I was writing a list of the ‘stuff’ I’d have to complete on the house, once the snow disappears and then, watching your video, I saw your List (capital “L”) – I’ve stopped complaining since then… (LOL)
    Lovely footage (I really like to watch what it is to live on a sailboat) and I agree with Joyce: the match images+music is really well done.
    Thanks for your generosity and sharing your adventures.

    reply
  • joyce tatler

    That was awesome the tunes you played that matched the footage i really loved

    reply
  • jim

    Only boat owners realize how expensive it is to to cruise and own a boat. The seas seemed so “confused” during your transit! Have a great Sojourn.

    reply
  • Jim conway

    My wife’s best friends, brother,Lefty lives on Tonga.

    reply

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